Travis Daventhorpe for the Win! (Travis Daventhorpe for the Win! #1)

A science whiz takes on the mantle of an ancient magical hero in this quirky graphic novel debut, the first in a series, by Molebash. When genius seventh grader Travis Daventhorpe’s scheme to befriend new student Juniper doesn’t go to plan, he winds up returning home with a wedgie courtesy of school bully Derek, and his parents worry for his safety. But Travis’s enthusiasm remains unstifled and he resolves to try again the next day, spending the night upgrading his trusty robot, Travbot. After a wayward experiment results in the duo pulling a sword from a stone, the wizard Belazar appears and declares Travis the Hero of Solusterra who’s destined to defeat Dark Emperor, Nol Invictus. As the Dark Emperor terrorizes Travis’s quaint town by unleashing all manner of dastardly perils, Belazar, Travbot, and Juniper endeavor to train an ill-prepared Travis. Stats and detailed profiles accompany character introductions and in-universe signage, featured throughout, plants Easter eggs for fans of RPGs. Uncomplicated layouts and simple backgrounds astutely shift the narrative’s primary focus to Molebash’s idiosyncratic character designs and madcap action, rendered in loopy black line and vibrantly saturated tones. Ages 8–12. (Mar.)

Correction: The text of this review previously misstated two proper nouns.